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Cambodia to hold cremation for late King Sihanouk Cambodia to hold cremation for late King Sihanouk
(about 2 hours later)
The body of Cambodia's former monarch, King Norodom Sihanouk, is to be cremated in Phnom Penh.The body of Cambodia's former monarch, King Norodom Sihanouk, is to be cremated in Phnom Penh.
Huge crowds are expected to turn out for the final ceremony marking the man who was a prominent presence during decades of turmoil.Huge crowds are expected to turn out for the final ceremony marking the man who was a prominent presence during decades of turmoil.
King Sihanouk died in Beijing in October at the age of 89. His embalmed body has been lying in state since then to allow people to pay their respects.King Sihanouk died in Beijing in October at the age of 89. His embalmed body has been lying in state since then to allow people to pay their respects.
Foreign dignitaries from several nations are expected at the ceremony.Foreign dignitaries from several nations are expected at the ceremony.
King Sihanouk's widow, Queen Monique, and the son in whose favour he abdicated, King Norodom Sihamoni, will light the funeral pyre.King Sihanouk's widow, Queen Monique, and the son in whose favour he abdicated, King Norodom Sihamoni, will light the funeral pyre.
Some of his ashes will be scattered at the confluence of three rivers and the remainder stored in an urn in the royal palace.Some of his ashes will be scattered at the confluence of three rivers and the remainder stored in an urn in the royal palace.
Monday's cremation marks the end of several days of commemorations.Monday's cremation marks the end of several days of commemorations.
On Friday, tens of thousands of people turned out to watch as the late monarch's golden sarcophagus was paraded through the streets of Phnom Penh to the crematorium.On Friday, tens of thousands of people turned out to watch as the late monarch's golden sarcophagus was paraded through the streets of Phnom Penh to the crematorium.
Since then people from across Cambodia dressed in mourning colours of white and black have been lining up to file past his coffin.Since then people from across Cambodia dressed in mourning colours of white and black have been lining up to file past his coffin.
King Sihanouk remained an influential figure in Cambodia until death, despite abdicating in 2004.King Sihanouk remained an influential figure in Cambodia until death, despite abdicating in 2004.
He became king in 1941 while still a teenager, and led Cambodia to independence from France in 1953.He became king in 1941 while still a teenager, and led Cambodia to independence from France in 1953.
He was a presence through decades of political and social turmoil in Cambodia, despite long periods of exile overseas.He was a presence through decades of political and social turmoil in Cambodia, despite long periods of exile overseas.
In later life he emerged as a peacemaker who helped bring stability back to his country, after an ill-fated choice to back the Khmer Rouge in its early years.In later life he emerged as a peacemaker who helped bring stability back to his country, after an ill-fated choice to back the Khmer Rouge in its early years.
His record, says the BBC's Jonathan Head, who is in Phnom Penh, is complex and showed many personal flaws.His record, says the BBC's Jonathan Head, who is in Phnom Penh, is complex and showed many personal flaws.
But none of that was talked about among the crowds paying their last respects - they were simply mourning the loss of a giant personality, who has been one of the few constants in their tragic history.But none of that was talked about among the crowds paying their last respects - they were simply mourning the loss of a giant personality, who has been one of the few constants in their tragic history.
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